Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse or grind. Once the ingredients break down, set the processor on puree. You want a smooth but slightly coarse consistency. When you achieve that balance, taste it and add seasonings according to your taste. Because olives are salty to begin with, I recommend omitting salt altogether. Some good black pepper would be great to finish it off though. Put the dip in a bowl and serve it with the sweet potato chips. You can also eat it with pasta, crusty bread or chicken if you want to keep some aside for another day.

Total preparation time: 15 minutes

Smoked Salmon Bites When you put a twist on foods that people love, you come out on top more than if you try to experiment and impress them with something unfamiliar. The next recipe is an ideal example of this principle. Not many people can refuse a good piece of smoked salmon. Here's a nice break from the norm and a new way to appreciate it.

One note about the salmon. Make sure, above all else, that the quality is above par. You want bright orange to pink flesh and no ice particles. Get it as fresh as possible, whether Pacific (my preference) or Atlantic.

To start, chop the dill nice and fine. Drain the capers and pat dry. Blend the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, capers, dill, and pepper (go with your taste here) in a food processor. When smooth, remove and spread the mixture over the bread slices. Cover the mixture with a layer or two of salmon. Use a long sharp knife to trim the edges and slice into small squares (or any other shape for that matter).

always use your fingers

They say necessity is the mother of invention and easy finger foods like these prove that when in need, you can whip up some cool eats with stuff around the house. So maybe you have to venture out to get some fresh herbs and such, but the point is that with some imagination, and a fridge and pantry that have most basics (or at least what I consider basic), you can do a lot.